Can Sporting Pull Off the Two-Peat?

Last season was magical for Sporting CP as they took home the Primeira Liga trophy in Portugal. After losing the previous two seasons to the other titans of the league, Porto and Benfica, it was a relief to fans that they wouldn’t have to wait any longer to be champions. While the season has been tumultuous for the team, they have somehow still found themselves at the top of the table. They have fought to remain in the race until the very last game that will kickoff at 1:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the 17th against Vitoria de Guimaraes. 

Sporting has seen coaches come and go this season, having started off strong with Rúben Amorim who was a force for the team. Amorim pushed the team to a strong start but was poached by Manchester United resulting in Joao Pereira stepping in as the interim coach. This was short lived as just six weeks passed before Pereira was booted and replaced by Rui Borges. What makes this last matchup so special is that Rui Borges was the Vitoria de Guimaraes coach before being brought to Sporting, he will have to beat his previous team in order to win the title. 

When Rui Borges joined the staff, Sporting president Frederico Varandas reassured the fans that, “Sporting are alive on all fronts, fighting for all the trophies available, and will continue to fight.” Varandas also mentioned that the hiring of Rui Borges was one that they have had on their radar and it was only a matter of time. It is never easy for a team to have coaches in and out of the door during a season, and when you add injuries and transition periods it is a miracle Sporting have still managed to remain on top. They were trailing behind Benfica when Borges was appointed and have now tied points to keep their title race alive.

Heading into the Saturday match, Sporting are missing four players, three to injury and one to a red card. Despite these players being out, they are still going into the game having not lost any of their last five matches which is a high they can ride into the win. Vitoria de Guimaraes is fifth on the table which makes them a strong opponent but if Sporting can find their grit that they have had all season they can pull a win out of this. After all of the trials and tribulations of this season, winning the league two years in a row would be the perfect end to a rocky road.